Director of Outdoor Education and Environmental Stewardship

Kanuga

Nestled on 1,400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Kanuga is a conference, retreat, camp, and outdoor education center rooted in the Episcopal tradition and committed to forming and feeding faithful, compassionate, skillful, and brave leaders.

At Kanuga, we believe that formation happens not only in classrooms and chapels, but also on trails, around campfires, in gardens, beside streams, and through meaningful encounters with the natural world. Our mission calls us to connect people with one another, with creation, and with the Creator.

As we look toward the future, Kanuga seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Environmental Stewardship and Outdoor Education. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the next chapter of environmental learning, outdoor formation, and creation care within a growing and evolving institution.

Position Summary

The Director of Environmental Stewardship and Outdoor Education provides leadership for Kanuga's Mountain Trail Outdoor School (MTOS), environmental programming, ecological stewardship initiatives, and related outdoor education efforts.

This role is both operational and strategic. The Director will oversee existing programs while helping Kanuga evaluate, strengthen, and reimagine how outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and experiential formation can best serve future generations.

Kanuga values the programs and traditions that have shaped its history. At the same time, we recognize that changing educational models, financial realities, environmental challenges, and participant expectations require ongoing discernment and innovation. We are seeking a leader who will inherit our mission—not necessarily our methods.

The successful candidate will be energized by the opportunity to build upon strong foundations while imagining new possibilities for the future.

Strategic Context

This position is part of a broader institutional initiative to strengthen collaboration among:

• Mountain Trail Outdoor School
• Environmental and garden programming
• Camp Kanuga
• Retreat and conference ministries
• Stewardship and sustainability efforts across the property

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review Kanuga's Strategic Framework for Outdoor Education and Environmental Stewardship, which outlines the vision and long-term goals informing this role.

Essential Responsibilities

Outdoor Education Leadership

• Provide high level leadership for Mountain Trail Outdoor School.
• Guide educational vision, program development, and strategic growth.
• Evaluate current outdoor education models and recommend improvements or new approaches.
• Ensure high-quality experiential learning programs that align with Kanuga's mission and values.
• Cultivate partnerships with schools, churches, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Identify opportunities to expand year-round educational programming and impact.

Environmental Stewardship Leadership

• Lead Kanuga's environmental stewardship initiatives and creation care efforts.
• Develop and implement strategies that integrate ecological learning across program areas.
• Strengthen environmental programming for guests, schools, camps, retreat groups, and parish communities.
• Explore opportunities related to sustainability, land stewardship, conservation, and environmental education.
• Help articulate and advance a theology and practice of creation care grounded in Kanuga's Episcopal identity.

Program Innovation and Strategic Development

• Assess existing programs for mission effectiveness, sustainability, and growth potential.
• Identify emerging opportunities in outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and experiential learning.
• Develop recommendations for new partnerships, funding opportunities, and program models.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership to align programming with Kanuga's long-term strategic goals.
• Pursue grant opportunities and other external funding sources that strengthen program sustainability.

Staff Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise Mountain Trail Outdoor School Operations Manager
• Supervise the Seasonal Lead Faculty Member.
• Supervise the Seasonal Gardener/Garden Coordinator.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate seasonal staff and faculty.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-centered staff culture.
• Develop leadership pathways for seasonal employees and emerging educators.

Collaboration and Institutional Integration

• Collaborate closely with Camp Kanuga leadership, conference center staff, and other program leaders.
• Create opportunities for shared programming, training, and stewardship initiatives.
• Encourage cross-departmental collaboration and resource sharing.
• Participate in institutional planning and leadership conversations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in environmental education, outdoor education, environmental science, ecology, education, ministry, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in outdoor education, environmental stewardship, experiential learning, camp leadership, or related fields.
• Experience supervising staff and developing teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, delegation, and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to environmental stewardship and experiential education.
• Ability to think strategically while also managing day-to-day operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively across diverse constituencies and programs.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience within faith-based educational or camp environments.
• Familiarity with Episcopal theology and traditions.
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, or partnership development.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices, land stewardship, conservation, or ecological education.
• Experience managing educational gardens, agricultural programs, or community-based environmental initiatives.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate will be:

• A collaborative leader who builds trust and relationships.
• An innovative thinker who can imagine new possibilities while honoring institutional history.
• Passionate about connecting people with the natural world.
• Committed to lifelong learning and adaptive leadership.
• Comfortable navigating both strategic vision and operational realities.
• Excited by the opportunity to help shape a growing and evolving program.

Working Environment

This position requires regular work in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions. Evening and weekend responsibilities are occasionally required. The Director is expected to actively engage with programs, staff, participants, and the broader Kanuga community.

Compensation and Benefits

Kanuga offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume/CV
• Three professional references

In your cover letter, please describe your philosophy of outdoor education and environmental stewardship and how these intersect with community formation, leadership development, and care for creation.